Mission and Vision

(updated to reflect current congregational core values, as of May 3, 2013)

LEARN - VALUE - SERVE

Creating a spiritual community by:

Learning to know others and ourselves.

Valuing and embracing the richness of our diversity.

Serving others and confronting injustice to do more than each can do alone.

Vision Statement

We will become a beacon of liberal-religion in southern New Jersey.

We welcome questioning minds and growing spirits.

We nurture civic, social and environmental justice.

Imagining our Future - A Story

The following is a story created to define our hopes and dreams for the church and surrounding community in the near future.

In 2014 families and individuals value the opportunity to enhance their spiritual journey as they search for meaning and truth in a world of challenges and ever-changing dynamics. Our members are warmly accepted, loved and cared for in a community where a majority participate in various forms of lay-caring and outreach. We have expanded our professional ministry staff as well as our membership and all have benefited greatly from our community efforts, which have greatly broadened our diversity and embody our UU ideals. We have a strong interaction denominationally with other congregations, both attending and hosting multiple events each year.

We are recognized as a vibrant center of social responsibility. Every Sunday our sanctuary and classrooms are filled with current members and new visitors for inspiring words, music and friendship. We are intentional and nurturing in inviting new members and friends into a variety of social and learning opportunities as well as a wide range of activities both inside and outside of our church community. We are known for our leadership role as a “Green Sanctuary” Church, as well as our signature programs in Lifespan Religious Education, Social Justice, Music, and our newly created Leadership Development Center of Excellence. There may be the need for two Sunday services, soon.

As an active and thriving community we have built a strong financial base. From this base the community seeks to expand programs and outreach, building a program funded through strong pledges and empowerment grants. Our members are happy to find new ways to share our community with their friends and extended families, and to be a strong and reliable voice for liberal religion and social responsibility in our region that is regularly cited in the media and daily conversation.

Every month brings many events and rentals of our facilities as we welcome community group meetings, concerts, art shows, and many interfaith collaborative events. We are frequently chosen as a neutral site for forums, workshops and classes. There is a full-time staff member to coordinate and facilitate these events with the assistance of a diverse team of volunteers to make every encounter with our Church a memorable and enjoyable experience. Our grounds have been given much attention and are a great source for community outreach with a new “Gardener in Residence” program. Our arboretum attracts notable attention for its many specimen plantings and donated sculptures, and offers hours of peaceful reflection and spiritual awakening in all seasons of the year.